What do butterflies mean?
I have had a few butterflies land on me and even follow me lately. What does it mean? One person has said that it means I crave for freedom, another says it means I am not happy. Someone Please Tell Me What It Actually Means!!!

MidoriUnregistered User(8/14/01 7:11:14 am)

color
Actually, it probably means you both like the same color. Butterflies are attracted to blues, lavenders, pinks and some yellows. We have a butterfly museum here where they suggest you wear those colors. Then when you go into the butterfly enclosure, they land on you and its quite a wonderful experience.

Richard
ParksRegistered User(8/14/01 1:15:29 pm)

Re: What do butterflies mean?
What Midori said. They think you're a flower! Which, if one must be confused with a plant, is a nice example to be so confused with.

KateUnregistered User(8/15/01 9:09:23 am)

Lepidopteral Symbology
That's true. That is the scientific explanation--and in fact, I am fascinated by butterflies and their color patterns and attractions and migrations--they are so amazing.

But, if our original poster wants to know more that is less pragmatic (which is not to say the pragmatic has no mystery), there's a very clear and extremely informative site that lists all sorts of cultural notions about butterflies--including their landing on you.

(Not that I'm an armchair lepidopterist, or anything. But I've long been interested in butterflies.)

spideriRegistered User(8/19/01 7:26:37 am)

meaning of butterflies
In the myth of Psyche & Eros recounted in "The Golden Ass", a brave princess (Psyche) wins an immortal soul for herself and for all humanity - as well as marriage to the god she dares to want (Eros).

Psyche's symbol is the butterfly - a glowing reminder of her miraculous transformation from mortal to immortal...from lonely princess to fullblown savior, too, seems to me.

There's also a Cambodian tale of the butterfly as a symbol of the soul's capacity for eternal rebirth.